A common question guys have when it comes to ice fishing is regarding how to keep your bait alive through out the season. Below I have detailed the approach I have taken the past number of years and has allowed me to keep bait alive from early December all the way to ice out in March.
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| StrikeMaster Bait Puck 2 |
When I purchase live bait, I usually buy it in bulk as it saves you time and money. Generally I purchase wax worms and maggots and promptly place them in the larger StrikeMaster Bait Puck 2 containers. I have found that you can place a tub of 250 wax worms comfortably inside the large bait puck. You can also easily place a package of 500-1000 maggots in one of the StrikeMaster Bait Puck 2 containers.
Wax worms tend to do better at a slightly warmer temperature (45-50 degrees), so either your basement or garage would be the best location to store them. Maggots on the other hand do better at a slightly colder temperature (35 degrees) and I find placing them at the back of your refrigerator away from the light bulb and door is your best option.
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| StrikeMaster Bait Puck |
From the large bait pucks, I take some of the maggots and wax worms and put them into the smaller StrikeMaster Bait Pucks. These are the containers I take out onto the ice with me when I go fishing. I will replenish these smaller containers from the larger Bait Puck 2 containers as I cycle through bait during the season. I have found it is hard on live bait to go from cold to hot temperatures so that's why I don't bring the larger containers out with me on every trip. If you only take a small portion of your bait out each time, you will prolong the lifespan of the remaining bait.
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| Lindy Grub Getter |
I've found the Lindy Grub Getter to be a nice case for your wax worms while out fishing. It has some notches which allow easy sorting of saw dust and wax worms with just a few shakes.
Periodically through out the season, I will sort through my larger containers of live bait and take out the cocooned maggots as well as the dead ones. I also keep an eye on the sawdust and make sure that it doesn't get too wet or start to have a strong ammonia smell to it. If either happens, it's time to replace the sawdust.
By following these few simple steps, you can have your live bait last most of the season and save you some money too!
